MP Chaudhary protests Tharu Language exclusion in Koshi Province Bill
Chaudhary criticized the bill passed by the Koshi Province Cabinet on 15th Shrawan and effective from 25th Kartik 2082 BS, noting that it only recognizes Nepali, Maithili, and Limbu languages, leaving out Tharu.
KATHMANDU: Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, a lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has expressed strong objection to the Koshi Province government’s bill on official working languages, which excludes the Tharu language.
Speaking at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Chaudhary criticized the bill passed by the Koshi Province Cabinet on 15th Shrawan and effective from 25th Kartik 2082 BS, noting that it only recognizes Nepali, Maithili, and Limbu languages, leaving out Tharu.
He emphasized that neglecting Tharu—a mother tongue for 4.22% of the province’s population—violates the spirit of federalism and constitutes a harsh attack on the Tharu language and culture.
Chaudhary said, “I strongly protest the Koshi Province Government’s decision to include only Maithili and Limbu alongside Nepali in the official working languages, ignoring the Tharu language spoken by 4.22% of the population. This undermines the principles of federalism and attacks the Tharu community’s language and culture. I urge the Speaker to direct the Koshi Province Government to immediately include Tharu as an official language.”
Additionally, Chaudhary raised questions regarding the government’s handling of cooperative fraudster Gitendra Babu Rai, demanding information on his whereabouts.
